Listed 1 sub titles with search on: Religious figures biography for destination: "MONI KAPSA Monastery MAKRYS GIALOS".
The visitor to the southeastern Crete will come across an impressive
monastic complex, the Holy Monastery of Timou Prodromou Kapsa, which nests in
the middle of grey-red rocks. The monastery was built either in the thirteenth
or the fourteenth century. It was the hermitage of ascetic and God-bearing Father
Ioseph Gerontogiannis. His real name was Ioannis (John) Vintsentzos.
Hosios Ioseph was born at the village of Lithines, Siteia, in particular
at the chapel or Kapsa in 1799, when his parents, Emmauel and Zambia Vintsentzos,
had gone there to pay their respects to St. John the Baptist. The Saint was baptised
a few years later in the same chapel and was given the name Ioannis. Ioannis was
an astute and clever man. Since no schools were allowed to function during the
Turkish occupation, he was educated by clerics. In addition, he had an extensive
knowledge of the Orthodox service and was soon to become an assistant chanter
and eloquent participant in debates concerning Church matters. At the same time
he occupied himself with the family property; he worked in his fathers fields
and tended the family's flock of sheep in the area of Kapsa, Siteia. As soon as
he reached adulthood, he married a pious young maiden from his village. The young
woman was so beautiful that she attracted the attention of the Turks. To protect
their daughter from the Turks, they would hide her in remote caves of southern
Crete, and ultimately find a man for her who would be able to protect her. This
man was Ioannis Vintsentzos. Their marriage was officiated at the Monastery of
St. John the Baptist, which was in ruins.
The surname Gerontogiannis or Gerontakis was attributed to the Saint
by the family of his wife Ioannis and his wife lived happily at the village of
Lithines and devoted themselves to the upbringing of their children. Ioannis enjoyed
the respect of his fellow men because of his hospitality, generosity and philanthropy.
On Easter Friday (4-5 April) 1841 Ioannis fell in deep sleep and all efforts to
wake him up failed. Forty-three hours later Ioannis woke up to find his family
and a number of friends at his bed side He then related to them his experience
during his short hibernation. He said that he had been taken up to heaven where
he saw and heard things wonderful which cannot be put into words. Later Ioannis
shared his experience with the bishop of Ierapetra and with the local commander.
Taking his vision as a sign from God, Ioannis decided to leave his
family and village and devote himself completely to God. As a place of practice,
he chose his birthplace, where he was also baptised and got married. He was ordained
monk and named Ioseph (Joseph). He practices abstinence and penance. At the same
time, he refurbished two cells of the local monastery to accommodate visitors,
while he lived in a cave located over the monastery, on a steep slope in the gorge
of Pervolakia. He lived there for 17 years. During that time novice, monks and
laymen consulted him while he also found time for the complete refurbishment of
the monastery. The fame of Hosios Ioseph attracted numerous people in the area
who wished to receive his blessing and advice. Owing to his fame and virtuous
life he received an invitation by the head of the Monastery of Agia Sophia (Holy
Wisdom) at Armenous, which was almost in ruins from Turkish attacks? Hosios Ioseph
took over the reconstruction of the monastic complex. He rebuilt it entirely from
the ruins. The reconstruction work lasted five years (1866-1870). In 1870, the
Saint returned to his hermitage where he died four years later, August 6, 1874,
at the age of 75. On May 7, 1982 there was a panegyric removal of the Saint's
relics following an all night devotions in a vigil celebrated by the Metropolite
of Ierapythis and Siteias Kyros Filotheos and by Bishop Methodios Petrakis, clerics
and a large congregation. The relics were placed in silver shrines and deposited
in the church along with the Saint's skull.
The faithful people of Siteia and all active Christians of the Lassithi
county take pride in the fact heir homeland is the place of such an eminent personality
of the Church. Hosios Ioseph, a paragon of married and celibate life, blesses
all those who resort to him and are pure in heart or come in penance. The Saint
is commemorated on August 6.
from The Orthodox Messenger, v. 9(7/8)
published bi-monthly by the SA Central Youth
PO Box 269, GLENELG SA 5045 AUSTRALIA
The text is cited November 2003 from The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
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